Great Themes of the Bible
this matter is sometimes brought to the trial. Those that decline the service of Christ and opportunities of converse with Him, and are ashamed to confess Him for fear of disobliging a relation or friend or losing a customer, give cause to suspect they love them better than Christ.
(b) They must, as we have already observed, be willing to bear this cross. Here we will add this one further observation. Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, as if they counted upon being crucified. They must be content to be put into an ill name, and to be loaded with infamy and disgrace. For no name is more ignominious than furcifer— "the bearer of the gibbet"'.
5. THE CONTINUANCE IN DISCIPLESHIP
Christ bids His disciples count upon the worst and then consider the call to discipleship.
Since He has been so just to us as to tell us plainly what difficulties we shall meet with in following Him, let us be so just to ourselves as to weigh the matter seriously before we take upon ourselves a profession of religion. Joshua obliged the people to consider what they did when they promised to serve the Lord (Joshua xxiv. 19). It is better never to begin than not to proceed. The cause of Christ will bear scrutiny. Satan shows the best, but hides the worst, because his best will not countervail his worst; but Christ's will abundantly. So to consider the case is necessary if we are to persevere, especially in suffering times.
There are two illustrations of this need drawn by our Lord. (a) We are like a man who undertakes to build a tower, and must therefore consider the expense of it. Let him, who will profess religion, compare the charge with his purse, lest he make himself to be laughed at, by beginning to build what he is not able to finish. In building, begin low and lay the foundation deep. Lay it on the rock, and make sure work, then aim as high as heaven.
(b) We are like a man that goes to war, and therefore must consider the hazard of it, and the 'difficulties that are to be encountered. A king that proclaims war on a neighbouring prince considers whether he has strength wherewith to make his part good; and if not, he will lay aside his thoughts of war. The state of a Christian in this world is a military state. Is not